(Note: This post contains spoilers for the finale episode of “Star Trek: Discovery.”)

The first season finale of “Star Trek: Discovery” ended with a major shout out to the original 1960s “Star Trek” by bringing the titular ship face to face with the USS Enterprise itself. But the finale’s coolest callback to the original “Star Trek” wasn’t an updated version of the U.S.S. Enterprise in the episode’s final moments — it was a low-key, green-painted cameo from one of the franchise’s most famous guest stars.

The finale episode ends with the USS Discovery, back to just being a regular Starfleet ship without a war to fight or an alternate universe to escape, making a routine journey across Federation space. In its final moments, though, it runs into the Enterprise and its original captain, Christopher Pike — the guy who commanded the ship before James T. Kirk in the original series.

But earlier in the episode, we saw Discovery crew member Tilly (Mary Wiseman) drugged and robbed on the Klingon homeworld of Kronos by a green-skinned Orion. And the Orion was played by an actor who first appeared on “Star Trek” back in in 1966: Clint Howard.

In the second episode of the original “Star Trek,” titled “The Corbomite Maneuver,” an alien named Balok, a powerful representative of something called the First Federation, puts Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew through an elaborate test of character, posing as a scary alien puppet to threaten them. When Kirk and his team finally met Balok in person, he’s played by then-seven-year-old Clint Howard (with his voice dubbed by voice actor Walker Edmiston, best known as the original Ernie the Keebler Elf).

This was actually Howard’s fourth “Star Trek” role. Twenty nine years later, he showed up on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” as Grady, a homeless San Francisco man the cast encountered in a time travel episode set in 2024. And in 2002 he appeared on an episode of “Star Trek: Enterprise” as an orange Ferengi named Muk.

Howard also reprised his role as Balok once before — at Comedy Central’s roast of William Shatner in 2006. As in the 1966 “Star Trek” episode, the adult version of Balok at the roast also had his voice dubbed over by another actor.

“Star Trek: Discovery” has had lots of callbacks to “Star Trek: The Original Series” in its first season, like the appearance of fan favorite interstellar con artist Harry Mudd (Rainn Wilson), and a sizable trip to the Mirror Universe. But Howard’s appearance in the finale is the season’s deepest cut.

TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch Right Now, From 'OITNB' to 'Better Call Saul' (Photos)

Need something new to watch? You're in the middle of what might be the best time to watch TV ever. There's no shortage of awesome shows out there across a number of streaming services. Here's every streaming show you should absolutely make time for.

"The Tick" (season 1 on Amazon)

Amazon's goofy send-up of the superhero genre is the perfect answer to the continual flood of (largely great) superhero shows across all platforms. With humor ranging from slapstick to pointedly adult looks at the superhero lifestyle in general, "The Tick" is a quick and funny show for superhero fans and people tired of the genre alike.

"Designated Survivor" (Season 1-2 on Hulu)The story of a reluctant successor taking the presidency after a tragedy that destroys the government is full of positive American idealism. "Designated Survivor" combines a little bit of "The West Wing" with "24" to make something that's extremely watchable, and can be uplifting in the face of the actual news.

ABC

"The Young Pope" (Season 1 on HBO Go, HBO Now)Jude Law is the first American pope in HBO's dark comedy about religion, authority, politics and backstabbing. Get lost in the all 10 weird episodes of the mini-series, available on HBO Go and HBO Now.

"Santa Clarita Diet" (season 1 on Netflix)

Drew Barrymore is a suburban realtor who suddenly dies, then comes back with a taste for human flesh in Netflix’s gory comedy. Not quite a zombie, she struggles to carry on life as usual with her husband, Timothy Olyphant, as they find themselves killing their neighbors to keep her fed so she won’t go full evil.

"The Runaways" (season 1 on Hulu)

Hulu's first Marvel show stands apart from a lot of the other superhero offerings on TV by following a group of diverse teen protagonists. After they discover their parents might basically be supervillains, a group of kids start discovering they have strange abilities of their own. "The Runaways" is a great change of pace from the usual superhero show.

"Glow" (Season 1 on Netflix)

Netflix's comedy heads back to the 1980s for the historic formation of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling show, hitting on some ridiculous situations as a group of women with no wrestling experience try to come together to make something amazing. "Glow" sports a hysterical cast, and its first season is a quick binge that's totally worth the investment.

Netflix

"Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" (season 1 on Netflix)

Netflix's adaptation of the children's book series is a blast, featuring great performances from a variety of visiting stars, from Joan Cusack to Don Johnson. They're all led by a hilariously evil Neil Patrick Harris.

Netflix

"Altered Carbon" (season 1 on Netflix)

If you're looking for a huge, beautiful, expansive sci-fi vision, "Altered Carbon" is a good place to start. Netflix's adaptation of the book of the same name imagines a world where bodies are interchangeable and people are stored as digital versions of themselves. There's a whole lot to absorb in this hard-boiled sci-fi murder mystery.

Netflix

"The Expanse" (Season 1 on Amazon)

Syfy's return to space opera is like "Game of Thrones," but with interplanetary travel. Mixing a murder mystery and a Cold War conspiracy story, "The Expanse" is full of zero-gee special effects and characters flying around the solar system, trying to prevent a war that could end humanity. The first season is available to stream on Amazon, while the second season recently wrapped up on Syfy.

Syfy

"Bosch" (seasons 1-3 on Amazon)

Amazon's police procedural follows a troubled cop as he struggles to solve a decades-old child murder. Amazon has three seasons at the ready right now, with a fourth season confirmed on the way.

Amazon

"Dark" (season 1 on Netfix)

A dark story about a small German town where kids keep disappearing, "Dark" picks up speed when secretive sci-fi elements start to impact the lives of everyone in town. Think a darker, more adult "Stranger Things."

Netflix

"The Path" (seasons 1-2 on Hulu)

Things are spiraling out of control in the cult known as Meyerism in Hulu’s drama, which just started its second season. Aaron Paul loses his faith and tries to get out, leaving behind his family of believers. Oh, and Hugh Dancy is an unhinged cult leader who’s losing control and murdering folks.

Hulu

"Lady Dynamite" (seasons 1-2 on Netflix)

Comedian Maria Bamford wowed critics with her recent Netflix outing “Lady Dynamite,” a hilarious meta-satire about Bamford’s life and career. Netflix picked up "Lady Dynamite" for a second season, coming later this year; while you're waiting, watch the first season’s 12 episodes.

Netflix

"Travelers" (seasons 1-2 on Netflix)

Time travelers from the future walk among us in "Travelers," executing secret orders in order to change the future. This Netflix show has some cool ideas about dealing with the pressures of saving the world, along with the ways messing with the present can affect the future.

Netflix

"Shut Eye" (seasons 1-2 on Hulu)

Hulu’s latest original series is about grifters in the Los Angeles psychic reading business. But then Jeffrey Donovan takes a blow to the head, and suddenly he might actually be seeing the future. The machinations and dark humor pile up as he and his family try to get out from under the thumb of their crime lord bosses.

Hulu

"The Man in the High Castle" (season 1-2 on Amazon)

What if the Nazis had won World War II? The newly released second season of "The Man in the High Castle" takes us back to an alternate universe where the U.S. is divided between Japan and Germany.

Amazon

"Portlandia" (seasons 1-7 on Netflix)

The IFC surrealist comedy, starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, is currently airing its seventh season. In the meantime, though, the rest of the series is available to watch straight through on Netflix.

IFC

"Catastrophe" (seasons 1-3 on Amazon)

With only six half-hour episodes in each of its two seasons, Amazon’s acclaimed sitcom “Catastrophe” is an easy binge. Co-stars and creators Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney are currently writing season 3, which is due on April 28.

Amazon

"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (seasons 1-3 on Netflix)

The Tina Fey-created, Ellie Kemper-starring comedy is definitely a must-watch, with three seasons available on Netflix right now. Predicated on the premise that the titular Kimmy escaped being kidnapped and held in a bunker and is now picking her life up where she left off, "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" is full of ridiculous situations in the vein of shows like "30 Rock."

Netflix

"Ozark" (Season 1 on Netflix)Think "Breaking Bad" but if the whole family was in on the crimes, and you've got an idea of what "Ozark" is like. It follows a money launderer as he's forced to head from Chicago to Missouri and make big moves to keep a drug cartel off his back. The first season is a tense crime drama, and among the best shows on Netflix.

Netflix

"Luke Cage" (season 1 on Netflix)

The latest installment in Marvel's street-level universe (which also includes "Daredevil" and "Jessica Jones") stars Mike Colter as a bulletproof hero bringing justice to Harlem. Besides action and social commentary, it has the best soundtrack of any superhero series ever.

"Jessica Jones" (season 1 on Netflix)

Marvel’s “Jessica Jones” won audiences and critics over with its rich storytelling, strong female lead, and intense action sequences. Netflix renewed the show for a second season, and Jessica will also show up with Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist in Netflix's crossover miniseries "The Defenders." With only 13 episodes so far, it’s still good to get a head start on “Jessica Jones.”

"The Punisher" (season 1 on Netflix)

The latest in Netflix's team-ups with Marvel spins off from Season 2 of "Daredevil" to take a closer look at the Punisher, a superhero known for dishing out pain to criminals through nothing but sheer willpower. This might be the best of Marvel's shows, though, as it digs into protagonist Frank Castle's psyche and troubled past -- it's not all shooting guys.

"House of Cards" (seasons 1-5 on Netflix)

The beloved political drama that stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright continues through five seasons as the despicable Underwoods continue their quest to take and hold the American presidency. If you're not watching this fan-favorite political drama that's all about backstabbing and (sometimes) actual stabbing, you've got lots of catching up to do.

"Jane the Virgin" (season 1-3 on Netflix)

The CW’s charming, telenovela-esque comedy has proved itself to be binge-watching candy. If you haven't checked out "Jane the Virgin," you can get lost in the first three seasons available on Netflix.

“The Get Down” (Season 1-2 on Netflix)Baz Luhrmann’s stylish look at the birth of hip-hop in New York City is musical and charged with excitement. “The Get Down” deliver something that’s pretty different from other streaming fare, with its 1970s New York setting and the drama surrounding an emerging, exciting art form.

"Difficult People" (season 1-2 on Hulu)

The darkly comical “Difficult People” made its debut on Hulu at the end of the summer of 2015, impressing critics thanks to the lead performances of Billy Eichner and show creator Julie Klausner. The first two hilarious seasons were enough for Hulu to pick up a third, so it's worth streaming as soon as possible.

"Silicon Valley" (seasons 1-4 on HBO Now and HBO Go)

The fourth season for HBO’s “Silicon Valley” continues its parody of the tech-industry with its loveable band of nerd-entrepreneurs trying to keep their heads above water. Season 4 of the show just wrapped up, so there's plenty of comedy to be had on HBO Go and HBO Now.

"The Crown" (seasons 1-2 on Netflix)

If you spent the holidays worrying about the Queen of England's health, this is the series for you. It looks at the last days of Winston Churchill, and how Elizabeth II took on the burden of the crown.

"Better Call Saul" (Netflix, season 1-2 only)

The “Breaking Bad” spinoff may not live up to its predecessor’s status, but with Vince Gilligan’s writing and Bob Odenkirk’s acting, “Better Call Saul” is an admirable effort. Though you can't get completely caught up on "Better Call Saul" without purchasing the latest season, the first two are still available on Netflix.

"Rick and Morty" (Seasons 1-2 on Hulu)Dark and ridiculous, "Rick and Morty" might be animated, but it's definitely not for children. The Adult Swim cartoon is about Rick, an often-drunk super-scientist, and his grandson Morty, who accompanies him on ridiculous adventures. With the third season airing now on Adult Swim, it's a great time to get caught up on the first two.

Adult Swim

"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (season 1 on Amazon)

A hilarious story about a former housewife in the 1950s who discovers she's a dynamite stand-up comedian, there's a reason "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" was recognized at the 2018 Golden Globes. It's definitely worth checking out.

Amazon

"The Good Wife" (seasons 1-7 on Hulu)

Catch up one of the best network dramas ever on Hulu, before CBS All Access premieres its upcoming spin-off, "The Good Fight," on Feb. 19. Juliana Margulies plays Alicia Florrick, who joins her ex-boyfriend's law firm after her disgraced husband, the Illinois attorney general (Chris Noth) is caught in a prostitution scandal. "The Good Wife" is part relationship drama, part legal procedural -- and always surprisingly funny.

"Broad City" (seasons 1-3 on Hulu)

Comedy Central’s hilarious, New York-based sitcom already has 30 episodes under its three-season belt and has been renewed for a fourth and fifth season. Before Season 4 airs on Comedy Central in August, you can watch all of “Broad City” on Hulu.

"13 Reasons Why" (Season 1 on Netflix)High school drama "13 Reasons Why" tells the story of a girl who commits suicide, and the tapes she leaves behind for all the people in her life that drove her to that decision. Delivered like a mystery, the show pulls you from episode to episode to find out what happened to Hannah Baker. Watch the first season on Netflix.

"You're the Worst" (seasons 1-3 on Hulu)

The FX comedy about two anti-relationship people (Chris Geere and Aya Cash) in a toxic romance made a positive impression on critics in its first two seasons, which are currently available to stream on Hulu. There's soon to be even more “You’re the Worst” available soon now that Season 3 has ended, so until then, the show should be a top priority to watch.

"BoJack Horseman" (seasons 1-4 on Netflix)

“BoJack Horseman,” Netflix’s hysterical animated social satire, didn’t do so great in its first season, but made vast improvements when it came back. Now considered one of Netflix's best, you can stream all three "BoJack" seasons right now while we wait to hear when Season 4 will be released.

"Transparent" (seasons 1-4 on Amazon)

Jill Soloway’s Golden-Globe-winning dramedy “Transparent” has received acclaim for its wonderful performances, acerbic writing, and sensitive direction. Though its third season is scheduled for this fall (and a fourth season has already been commissioned, “Transparent”’s 20 episodes are available for viewing on Amazon.

"Black Mirror" (seasons 1-4 on Netflix)

The darkly, darkly satiric series looks at how technology robs us of our humanity -- or just gives us excuses to abandon it. In the third season, creator Charlie Brooker looks at everything from love ("San Junipero") to war ("Men Against Fire").

"The Walking Dead" (seasons 1-7 only on Netflix)

As AMC’s most-watched program, “The Walking Dead” has built a large fan base over the course of its six-and-a-half seasons. While its newest season has yet to be available for streaming, people can watch the first six seasons of “The Walking Dead” for now, on Netflix.

“Making a Murderer” (Season 1 on Netflix)This intensive documentary series covers the story of Steven Avery, who was exonerated of a rape accusation before being arrested for murder. The sorted story is spread out over 10 episodes, raising plenty of questions about whether Avery is guilty along the way.

"Stranger Things" (season 1-2 on Netflix)

Channeling 1980s sci-fi and supernatural hits like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "ET," "Gremlins" and the works of Stephen King, "Stranger Things" perfectly captures an aesthetic of awesome movies gone by. It's also a suitably spooky story of a group of kids who have to go up against monsters, and the government, to save their town.

"The Handmaid's Tale" (Season 1 on Hulu)A dystopian world that subjugates women is the setting for "The Handmaid's Tale." The dark series' focus on the feminist struggle of Elizabeth Moss feels especially poignant in today's political climate.

Hulu

"Orange is the New Black" (seasons 1-5 on Netflix)

Most critics called Season 4 the best "Orange is the New Black" season so far. Netflix's acclaimed show continued to tackle some tough issues through its prison inmate humor in Season 5, so there's plenty of "Orange" to watch when you need a deep dive into a show.

"Big Little Lies" (Season 1 on HBO Go, HBO Now)HBO's scandal- and rumor-fueled dark comedy "Big Little Lies" also became a whodunit as its drama unfolded. Its star-studded cast includes Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgard and Laura Dern. The seven episodes of "Big Little Lies" are available on HBO, making it a quick, high-quality watch.

“Insecure” (Season 1-2 on HBO Go and HBO Now)Issa Rae channels some hilarious but relatable experiences as she and her friend Molly deal with their own insecurities and flaws in “Insecure.” Season 2 is airing right now, so get caught up and you can start watching along with the show.

"Master of None" (season 1-2 on Netflix)

The first season of comedian Aziz Ansari's "Master of None" was universally praised. The response from critics on Season 2, however, was that it's even better -- which means you definitely shouldn't miss it.

Netflix

"Game of Thrones" (seasons 1-7 on HBO Now and HBO Go)

The wait for Season 7 of HBO’s massively entertaining “Game of Thrones” is finally over, but if you're not caught up, there's still six more seasons available on HBO Go and HBO Now immediately. If you stream with purpose, you can catch up to Season 7 as it airs each Sunday.

Need something new to watch? You're in the middle of what might be the best time to watch TV ever. There's no shortage of awesome shows out there across a number of streaming services. Here's every streaming show you should absolutely make time for.